Jarni challenges Zambrotta on Saturday. (Allsport)

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Yokohama

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A revitalised Croatia are ready to light up the World Cup following their shock win over Italy, one of the tournament favourites, on Saturday.

When they lost their opening Group G clash to Mexico, an ageing Croatian team looked a far cry from the squad which remarkably finished third in France four years ago.

But coach Mirko Jozic had the courage of his convictions to drop stars Davor Suker and Robert Prosinecki for the must-win clash against Italy, claiming his team were in need of a psychological lift.

Jozic emerged a hero as Croatia staged a dramatic come-from-behind win, albeit in controversial circumstances as Italy had two goals disallowed by Danish linesman Jens Larsen, to the fury of all in the Italian camp.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni claimed both goals should have stood and that his side were robbed of at least a point, while English referee Graham Poll was criticised for his handling of the game, in particular by Roma star Francesco Totti.

All that detracted from a superb Croatian performance as they dominated the first half, and even after Christian Vieri had eventually given Italy the lead, they refused to fold.

Goals from substitute Ivica Olic, his second in five internationals, and from the superb Milan Rapaic gave Croatia a deserved victory which has thrown the group wide open.

In one of the most exciting World Cups for a long time, the perennial achievers in Italy, Argentina, Germany, France and Portugal are all in danger of missing out on the knockout stages.

In facing Ecuador in their final group game, Croatia are confident of reaching the last 16 as Middlesbrough striker Alen Boksic said: "We have to be after beating one of the best teams in the World Cup.

"We deserved our victory because we played a superb game. Not many people gave us a chance of beating Italy, particularly after the way we played against Mexico.

"I admit it was a poor performance, but our confidence was always high ahead of the game with Italy, and now I am hopeful we can go on and have a good tournament."

Jozic graphically described his players as "dying for one another out on the pitch" in an effort to get the result they needed against the Italians.

Stuttgart midfielder Zvonimir Soldo concedes there was also an element of luck as on another night the two disallowed goals might have been stood, and Croatia would be on their way home.

"We had luck on our side, but we were still the better team and now we are in a much better situation," stated Soldo, who is one of the more experienced players in the squad with over 60 caps to his credit.

The 34-year-old added: "We knew we had to win otherwise our chances of reaching the second round would have been over.

"Many people felt they looked dead anyway following our performance against Mexico. That was a bad match for us.

"It's hard to say why we played so differently in that game compared to this one with Italy, but there were some changes and they worked.

"Now we have a great chance of reaching the second round, although we cannot take anything for granted because Ecuador is a good team as they showed against Italy and so it will be a hard match."